According to NDP varsity girls' soccer head coach Michael Varela, his team's motto this year has been 'United we stand," but now a case can be made for "United we celebrate."

The Saints won the 5A Conference State Championship on Saturday, Feb. 24, defeating Campo Verde 4-1 at Mesa High to complete their dream season and the program's first title since 2016.

"This is all about them," said Varela. "I'm a servant for God's kingdom. So to be able to do this through sports is an amazing opportunity and it brings tears of joy to my eyes to see these seniors go off. I've known them since sophomore year and there have been some hardships to get here. This is an amazing blessing."

Junior Skyler Ortega got the Saints on the board nine minutes into the contest with her second goal in as many games. The lead was extended in the final minute of the first half when junior Whitney Reinhardt tallied her fourth score of the postseason to give NDP a 2-0 lead heading into the intermission. In the second half, senior Paxton Bock closed out her NDP career with her eighth and ninth goals of the playoffs, with one coming via a header into the net. Goaltender Hailey Cobb gave up just the second goal of the NDP postseason in the victory.    

"Winning the entire tournament overall is huge and a great memory I'll hold onto forever," said Cobb. "It's such a blessed opportunity to play in front of my family and friends and I'm grateful we got the win out here."

Added senior Chloe Grindall, "There is just something different with this team, and I knew it from the time we started. It's really our faith in God. In everything we do, we always pray and always believe. And that's why we're so successful. All glory to God. We did this, but God helped us so much along the way and that's why I think we're so special. I love this team."

Way to make NDP proud, Saints! And congratulations on a championship season!